Poised on the tip of a tongue, a word begins to flow up and out, riding on the air like breath in wind, and finds us there, waiting to receive it. So fragile these words that carry the meaning of who we are and what it is we think and feel. The speech-language pathologist holds so very dear every clue, every word part that brings her closer to understanding. Is there anyone who in that moment, could listen harder? Sometimes, I feel it at a cellular level. I remember those early moments when I did not know to listen like that, when I missed so much more than the words. In casual conversation with most people, there are moments when they have difficulty explaining something. They hesitate, search for the right words, and not finding enough of them, turn to you in exasperation, with, “You know what I mean?” We are human, and it is very deep in us, the language, and the desire to communicate. Hold it close. It is a beautiful and fragile gift.